By LEONARD GRAY

LAPLACE – Three high-profile murder cases in the River Parishes will again come to court in the coming weeks.

First, in St. James Parish, will be involving the prosecution of Ryan Caldarera, who is charged with the shooting deaths of his father and stepmother, Victor “Sonny” and Tracy Caldarera of Lutcher.

Caldarera’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity led to the appointment of a sanity commission, due to report on July 25 at 9 a.m. to Division C Judge Guy Holdridge. Judge John Peytavin of the 23rd Judicial District ruled that Caldarera should be tried as an adult Aug. 17 for the murder, but a stay order was issued at the same time to permit attorneys to appeal the ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

The youth, a 14-year-old seventh-grade student at Lutcher Junior High School at the time of the crime, allegedly shot and killed the couple in their home on the night of April 4, 2001, leaving behind his 6-year-old half-sister. He was indicted Oct. 3, 2001, by a St. James Parish Grand Jury on two counts of second-degree murder.

He is being represented by Hester attorney, Dale Petit.

In St. Charles Parish, a status conference on July 31 is scheduled for David Joseph, starting at 10 a.m., before Judge Emile St. Pierre, as a trial date approaches. Joseph, 22, of Minden, faces a charge of first-degree murder, after he allegedly beat and choked 8-month-old Derica Wallace of New Sarpy, while babysitting her on Feb. 21.

The child was taken off life support systems at Children’s Hospital two days later. Joseph surrendered to authorities at about the same time.

Joseph, the boyfriend of Jessika Wallace, 20, the child’s mother, had been left in charge of Derica and her two siblings, 6-month-old Tenisha and 3-year-old Derrick, while Wallace went to work in Boutte. Derrick Jacob, father of Derrick and Derica, is currently serving time in prison.

He is being represented by attorney Jim Williams of New Orleans.

Three young men will have another day in court in St. Charles Parish, involving the Mardi Gras Day 2002 second-degree murder of James Rogers, 17, of LaPlace.

A hearing on motions is set Aug. 7 in Div. E, starting at 9 a.m., before Judge Robert Chaisson.

On March 14, the St. Charles Parish Grand Jury indicted Brandon Stein, 18, of Reserve; Calvin Couvillion, 21, of Paradis; and Timothy Prudhomme, 16, of LaPlace, on charges of second-degree murder in the Feb. 12 slaying of Rogers.

Rogers was reported missing by his father when his son failed to return home Mardi Gras night. The East St. John High School student left his residence at 8 p.m. on Mardi Gras to visit a neighbor, driving a white pickup truck.

After being reported missing and an intensive search launched in St. Charles and St. John the Baptist parishes, Rogers’ remains were found – beaten, choked and tossed off the Interstate 310 access ramp. Rogers’ truck was later found in Park Place Subdivision in LaPlace, after all the stereo equipment was stripped from it.

Appearing for Couvillion will be Luling attorney Manina Dubroca; for Prudhomme is Luling attorney Wendy J. Williams; and for Stein is Destrehan attorney Mark Marino.